Kapit holds out potential as cocoa-producing area

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KOTA SAMARAHAN: Kapit has great potential to be developed as one of the main cocoa-producing areas in Sarawak.

Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan, said this is due to the topography and soil fertility which are very suitable for cocoa cultivation.

He said that because of this farmers in Kapit have been urged to get involved in cocoa cultivation.

“So far we have identified hundreds of acres of land for cocoa cultivation and have received hundreds of applications from farmers.

“However, we are currently waiting for the allocation to start cultivation efforts in the Kapit area,” he said during a visit to the Malaysian Cocoa Board, Sarawak Cocoa Research and Development Centre by the Ulu Rajang Development Agency (URDA), here, on Tuesday (June 25).

Lidam speaks to the press. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

He stated that the demand for cocoa beans in the world market is currently increasing and cocoa beans are indeed very much needed for the downstream sector.

“I feel it would be very good if we could supply cocoa beans from Kapit and aspire to make this division a major cocoa producer in Sarawak.

“Maybe we can brand it as Kapit Cocoa (KK) for commercial purposes,” he said.

He said to achieve this goal, they need to cooperate with the Malaysian Cocoa Board and other related agencies.

“We suggest that they approach the farmers involved in cocoa cultivation and also suggest that they open an office in Kapit so that cocoa cultivation can be properly supervised in the future.

“This will also ensure the best production quality,” he stated.

Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, previously informed that the cocoa industry has great potential due to the rapidly increasing commodity price, rising by 200 per cent from around RM9,000 per tonne in 2023 to more than RM28,000 per tonne in April this year.

Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan (ninth left) with Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang (tenth left) and others poses for photograph during lead the URDA entourage study visit at Malaysian Cocoa Board office at Kota Samarahan. Also present is Malaysian Cocoa Board (Technology Transfer and Development) directro Abdul KArim Che Hamid (twelfth left) Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

According to him, the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) expects the price to remain high and consistent for the next two to three years.

Also present were Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang and Director of Technology Transfer and Integration, Malaysian Cocoa Board Abdul Karim Che Hamid.